Hon Steve Martin asks the Minister for Health about quarantine plans for passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship potentially exposed to hantavirus at the Bullsbrook facility. The Minister's response indicates collaboration with the Commonwealth and development of contingency plans.

AnsweredQoN 344Legislative Council
Asked
12 May 2026
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

Hantavirus outbreak
344. Hon Steve Martin to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Health:
I refer to reports
that six passengers from the MV Hondius cruise
ship affected by the hantavirus outbreak will quarantine at the Bullsbrook
facility for three weeks.
(1) Has WA Health finalised an
operational plan for the quarantine period, including staffing, infection-control
protocols, testing, symptom monitoring and transfer procedures?
(2) Will local workers be involved in the
care of these six passengers?
(3) What isolation and safety protocols will
apply to any local staff involved in the operational plan?
(4) Which hospital or hospitals have been
fully briefed, staffed and equipped to manage a potential hantavirus case?
(5) Are there any individual case
management plans in place for each patient?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(5) The state government and WA Health are
working closely with the Commonwealth government to support the Commonwealth-led
quarantine arrangements for the returning travellers. The flight crew will also
undertake isolation requirements at the Bullsbrook facility. While the
returning passengers are not showing any signs of illness, quarantine is a
necessary precaution to make sure that our community stays safe. WA Health has
advised that it is developing appropriate contingency plans with tertiary
hospitals in case any of the repatriated people become unwell.

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